Knitting machine



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`April 7, 1942 M. c. MILLER 2,278,522

KNI'BTING MACHINE Filed June 9, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 548 532 10A 534Fig 9 534` ATTORNEYS April 7, 1942.v n. c. MILLER I 2,218,522 KNITTINGMACHINE Filed June s, 193e L 9 sheets-sheet 5 "Fi/9.10 -572 5542 54a-INVENTOR April 7, 1942. M. c. MILLER 2,278,522

I KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 9, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 ATToRNmV 2Patented Apr. 7, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KNITTING MACHINE MaxC. Miller, Cumberland, B. I.

Application June 9, 1938, Serial No. 212,703

'18 Claims.

The present invention relates to knitting machines, and moreparticularly to improvements in knitting machines of the general type ofwhich the knitting instrumentalities comprise a series of knittingneedles and sinker elements individually movable in accordance with aknitting wave to measure the feeding yarn against the Shanks of theneedles.

The invention as herein disclosed, is embodied in a multiple sectionfiat knitting machine of the so-called Cotton type, certain featuresbeing especially, but by no means exclusively, applicable to themanufacturer of full-fashioned hosiery.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide in amachine of this general de scription, novel actuating and controllingmechanisms for the knitting instrumentalities including particularly theyarn measuring sinkers whereby certain objectionable and limitingfactors in the operation of such machines are wholly eliminated, theconstruction of these mechanisms greatly simplified, and a more accurateand dependable operation of the knitting instrumentalities and at higherspeeds obtained, together with a greater versatility of adjustment andcontrol during the continuance of the knitting operation.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide novel andimproved sinker actuating means well adapted to effect a smooth and anextremely rapid advancing movementl of each successively actuated sinkerto fully kink the yarn about the shanks of the adjacent needles prior tothe start of the advancingmovement of the next succeeding sinker,whereby the necessity of employing the usual dividers between alternatesinkers is eliminated, and the speed of the knitting operation at thelsame time may be greatly increased.

Other objects of the invention are concerned with the provision of novelmeans for controlling the operation of the individual sinkers todetermine loop length whereby a more uniform operation of the machine issecured to produce even appearing fabric loops, and to permit suchvariations in loop length as may be desired, for example, in theknitting of full-fashioned hosiery.

With these and other objects in view, as may hereinafter appear, afeature of the invention consists .in the provision in a knittingmachine having individually operable yarn measuring sinkers, of fluidoperated means for projecting the sinkers to kink yarn against theneedle shanks.

More specifically, a feature of the invention consists in the provisionin a fiat knitting machine of sinker actuating means comprising acylinder extending lengthwise of the sinker series, and having a movablevalve member or piston adapted to be traversed rst in one direction andthen in the other by the conventional Coulier motion or other suitablemeans, the traverse of the piston causing a uid medium in the cylinderto impart pressure successively to each of the sinker actuating elementsto urge the sinkers forwardly into yarn kinking position.

Another feature of the invention consists in the provision of means forreleasing the sinkersv successively to cause them to be projected by theaforesaid fluid pressure mechanism in the desired wave-like motion, saidmechanism comprising a member which is moved longitudinally of themachine during the Coulier to disengage successively the sinkeractuating elements.

Still another feature of the invention consists in providing means forlimiting the extent of forward movement of the sinkers upon theirrelease by the sinker holding mechanism, said means comprising a membermounted for movement toward and away from the needle series and servingas an adjustable stop for the entire group of sinkers, whereby the depthof yarn kinking may be varied throughout the length of the needle seriesto control the tightness or looseness of the fabric.

A further feature of the invention involves the provision in a iiatknitting machine, of means for limiting the extent of projection ofcertain automatically selected sinkers during the yarn kinking movement,whereby reinforced areas may be readily produced by the remainingsinkers and cooperating elements without rocking the needles toward-andaway from the press edge during the traverse.

Still another feature of the invention consists in the provision ofmeans for automatically positioning the needles during the Coulier ineither of two positions only, one position being taken for theproduction of plain fabric and the other for the production ofreinforced fabric.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a viewin side elevation', partly in section. of a Cotton type full-fashionedhosiery knitting machine embodying the invention; Figures 2 to 6 areprofile views ofcertain of the rotating cams for actuating the variousknitting instrumentalities, Fig. 2 showing the cam for imparting thepress or horizontal in-and-cut motion to the needle series, Fig. 3 thecam for the vertical needle movement, Fig. 4 the cam for the catch barvertical movement, Fig. 5 the lifting'cam for the upper sinker rail, andFig. 6 the cam for the catch bar horizontal movement; Fig. I is a viewin rear elevation of a portion of the knitting machine, illustrating theCoulier drive for the traversing mechanism; Fig. 8 is a top plan view ofthe machine, illustrating two sections of the same; Fig. 9 is a view infront elevation of a portion of the machine, showing certain of theactuating mechanism for the needle series of one section, the yarncarrier mechanism, and the pattern chain control means; Fig. l is a viewin side elevation, taken on the line ll-ll of Fig. 9, illustrating thepattern mechanism for varying the depth of yarn kinking by the sinkers;Fig. l1 is a detail end view of the pattern cam and cooperating levers;Fig.- 12 is a side view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is aplan view on an enlarged scale of one section of the machine, certainparts being omitted to show more clearly the mechanism for projectingthe sinkers, and also the verge plate for adjustably limiting the extentof sinker projection; Fig. 14 is a detail view in side elevation of theparts shown in Fig. 13 and taken on the line H-il of said figure; Fig. lis a plan view on a further enlarged scale of the end portions ofadjacent section and illustrating portions of the sinker releasing andpositioning mechanisms; Fig. 16 is a sectional view in side elevationtaken along the line IS-IG of Fig. Fig. 17 is a detail sectional view ofcertain of the sinker actuating elements, taken along the lineH-l'l ofFig. 16; Figs. 18 to 22 are a series of 1; u n tic plan views of thesinker actuating, releasing and positioning mechanism taken on the lineil-IB of Fig. 14 at different times during Coulier or yarn kinkingmovement of the sinker series; Fig. 18 showing the sinkers in retractedposition, with the hydraulic piston and sinker release rail at theirextreme left position, just prior to the commencement of the needlemovements to form the yarn kinked by the previous traverse into fabricloops; Fig. I9 shows the piston and rail as having commenced theirtraverse to the right; Fig. 20 is a view of the parts when nearing theend of their traverse to the right, all but a few of the sinkers havingbeen projected; Fig. 21 shows the parts as having traversed stillfurther toward the right, all of the sinkers being in forward position;and Fig. 22 shows the parts at the limit of their traverse to the rightand occupying the position corresponding to Fig. 18, but at the righthand end of the section; Fig. 23 is a diagrammatic view of the sinkers,sinker stop bar or verge plate, and supplementing sinker stop rails,showing the parts in the position they assume during the knitting `oiplain, un-reinforced fabric, the sinkers being stopped in alignedforward position by engagement with the verge plate; Fig. 24 is a viewsimilar toFig. 23, but with the parts arranged for knitting fabrichaving reinforced areas, the verge plate being in forward position topermit certain sinkers to be projected beyond those sinkers which areengaged by the supplementary sinker stop rails; Fig, 25 is a view of oneform of yarn kinking sinker having an abutment positioned forcooperation with one of the supplementary sinker stop rails; Fig. 26 isa view of another form of sinker having an abutment positioned forcooperation with the other supplementary sinker stop rail: Fig. 27 is adetail view in front elevation of the sinker release rail, a supportingblock therefor, and sinker guard cams; Fig. 28 is a sectional view takenalong the line "-28 of Fig. 29; Fig. 29 is an inverted plan view of theparts shown in Fig. 27; Fig. 30 is a detail view of the cam andcooperating lever for imparting the horizontal or in-and-out motion tothe needle series, together with the mechanism for positioning theneedles, at the time the place, either in the position for knittingplain fabric or in the position for knitting reinforced fabric, theparts being illustrated at that time in the cycle of the machine whenthe needles are at the limit of their forward movement, and with theneedle positioning mechanism in inactive position; and Fig. 31 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 30, but with the needle positioning means operative toposition the needle for the knitting of reinforced fabric.

The invention is herein disclosed in the drawings, as embodied in amultiple section flat fullfashioned knitting machine having for eachsection, a series of spring beard needles movable as a unit withrelation to a press edge. knockover bits, and cooperating yarn measuringsinkers which are arranged to be advanced in a `vavelike motion to sinkyarn against the shanks of the needles. The illustrated machine, exceptas hereinafter more particularly pointed out, follows the usualconstruction and arrangement of these machines, having a base comprisedof cross frames 40 spaced at intervals along the length of the machine,and connected by the usual lower front rail 42, rear rail 44, sinkerrail 48, and work table 48, which extends throughout the length of themachine. The machine is driven from a main cam shaft 5B extending alongthe length of the machine. The spring bearded lmitting needles 52 of themachine are mounted on needle bars 54 adapted to move as a unit withrelation to a fixed press edge 55 formed on the forward end of the lowersinker bed N supported on the sinker rail 'Ihe supporting and actuatingconnections for the needles comprise vertically extending hinge pins 58to which the needle bars are attached, pivotally mounted at 60 onrearwardly extending vertical motion levers 82 secured to a needlevertical motion rock shaft 84 extending along the machine length.Downwardly extending cam levers 66 secured at spaced intervals to therock shaft il carry at their lower ends rollers 58 for engagement withcooperating needle vertical motion knitting cams 10 on the cam shaft 5I.Forward and back needle motion is provided through connections whichinclude links 12 connecting the lower ends of the depending lever arms59 with downwardly extending levers 14 carried on the needle pressmotion rock shaft 'I6 extending along the length of the machine. Thereis 4also secured to the rock shaft 16, at spacedintervals along themachine length, needle press motion cam levers 18 having mounted thereoncam rollers 1! for engagement with needle forward and back motion camson the cam shaft 50. The machine is also provided with knockover bits 82which are constructed and arranged to operate in a manner usual infull-fashioned machines. The machine i's also provided with the usualyarn car- Coulier is taking riers l supported for traversing movement oncarrier bars I6 slidably mounted in ilxed brackets Il (see Figs. 9 and10).

In accordance with the present invention, applicant provides a novelarrangement of the sinkers, and novel actuating and controlling meansfor the sinkers and needles cooperating therewith, to measure thefeeding yarn against the needle shanks. The novel devices employed,include hydraulically actuated means for actuating the sinkers wherebyan extremely rapid and dependable sinkers action is secured, and theusual mechanical operating slur-cock cam and sinker jack constructionwith its attendant limitations and disadvantages is wholly eliminated.Cooperating with the hydraulic actuating means, applicant providescontrol means in the form of a guard and release cam which operates tocontrol the advance of the sinkers by the hydraulicalLv actuated means,this cam being constructed and arranged to determine the rate and timedsequence of sinker operation to create VVthe most advantageous form ofknitting wave.

' Further in accordance with the invention, applicant providesindividually movable sinker elements between all the knitting needles ofthe machine, in place of the usual alternating sinker and dividerconstruction in which the dividers are advanced en masse to ire-measurethe klnked yarn against all the needles. With appllcant's novel sinkeractuating and controlling mechanism above described, in which fluidactuating means are employed for projecting the individual sinkers incombination with a release cam for controlling the advancing movement ofthe sinkers, it has been found possible to insure the full projection ofeach of successive closely adjacent sinker elements before the nextsucceeding sinker has advanced to kink the feeding yarn. The knittingwave formed in this manner, may be angled as sharply as may be desired,and is well adapted for the actuation of individually movable sinkerelements located between all the knitting needles of the finest gaugemachines.

Further in accordance with the invention, applicant disclosesautomatically adjustable means for controlling the limit of the sinkeradvancing movement in order to produce necessary adjustments of looplength from course to course in the knitting of full-fashioned hosiery,and also for controlling the limit of advancing movement of selectedsinkers in the knitting of individual courses as required, for example,in the knitting of reinforced fabric in which longer loops are to beformed on those needles knitting the reinforced areas.

The novel mechanisms hereinafter described, forming the several featuresof the invention, are adapted for application to existing cotton typefull-fashioned hosiery machines, with only such changes andmodifications in the operation of the cooperating mechanisms, ashereinafter more fully set forth.

In accordance with the present invention, applicant provides twodistinct forms of sinker element 00 and S2 illustrated in Figs. 26 and25 respectively. Sinker elements 02 are employed inthe left hand half ofeach needle series, and sinker elements 90 are employed in the righthand hallA of each knitting section. As particularly indicated, forexample, in Fig. 24 of the drawings, sinker elements I0 differ fromsinker elements 02 only in the location of certain of the operatingbutts, as hereinafter more fully described.

The sinkers are slidably supported in grooves formed in a bottom sinkerbed 04 and in a top or cover sinker bed ll, these two beds being boltedto each other and to the sinker rail 46. As best shown in Figs. 25 and26, eachof the sinkers I0 and 02 is provided with a cutaway portion $0-to receive the adjustable`verge plate hereinafter described, and at therear end thereof with an abutment |00 against which the verge plateoperates. 'Each sinker is also provided at its rear end with adownwardly vextending butt |02 for engagement with the notched bar whichin the illustrated construction, and as more fully to be described, islocated beneath the sinkers. Each of the sinkers is also provided withtwo recessed portions having rear end abutments |04 and |00 for slidingengagement with subsidiary verge plates, and each of the sinkers l2 issimilarly provided with recessed portions having rear end abutments |00and ||0, the butt |00 being spaced slightly to the rear of butt |04, andbutt I I0 being spaced slightly in advance of the butt |00 on the sinker90 for selective engagement with subsidiary verge plates hereinaftermore fully to bedescribed. As best shown in Figs. 16, 25 and 26, all ofthe butting surfaces of the sinkers 00 and 92 are located within theplanes of the top and bottom guide surfaces designated respectively at|09 and of the sinkers 90 and 92 which engage within the slottedportions respectively of the cover sinker bed 00 and the bottom sinkerbed 94, so that the sinkers may be readily withdrawn forwardly throughthe slottedv guide support provided by the beds 94, 00, in the eventthat it becomes necessary to replace any sinker or sinkers.

Cooperating with each of the sinkers 90 and 02, is a slider ||2 (seeFigs. 16 and 17), these sliders being guided in grooves formed in asupporting bar lll secured to the coverv of sinker bed 00, and beingfurther supported toward their rear ends in a bar IIG rigidly supportedon a fixed portion of -the machine. Each of the sliders ||2 is providedwith an abutment ||8 which engages with the rear end of the cooperatingsinker and a forwardly extending groove portion |20 to receive therearwardly extending upper edge of the sinker. Each of the sliders |`|2is also provided with an upwardly extending butt |22 for engagement withthe sinker guard and release cam hereinafter more fully to be described.Each of the sliders .H2 is also provided with a rearwardly extendingbutt for engagement with the fluid actuated advancing pins hereinafterdescribed. As best shown in Figs. 16 and 17 of the drawings, these buttsfor the several sliders are staggered with relation to one another,every third slider having a butt |24, and the intervening sliders havingbutts |26 and |28 respectively.

Applicants novel fluid actuated mechanism for successively projectingthe sinkers, is supported in the machine directly to the rear-of thesinkers and sliders above described, substantially in the positionnormally occupied in these may chines by the sinker jacks, slur-cockcams and associated mechanisms. The fluid actuating sinker projectingmechanism is supported on a fixed supporting bar |30 which extendsthroughout the length of the machine, and is drilled to receive sinkeroperating pins |32 in staggered relation to one another for vengagementrespectively with butts |24, |26 and |20 of the sliders H2. Theseactuating pins |22 are in turn acted upon by a second series of pins |34supported directly to the rear of and in axial alignment with the pins|32. 'I'he pins |32 are slidably supported to slide in holes drilled ina ilxed support |35, one such support being provided for each knittingsection extending along the length thereof. andY bolted to thesupporting bar |35. The pins |34 at their rear ends are arranged to beacted upon by the iiuid medium contained in a sinker projection cylinder|35 which extends along the length ofthe knitting section, and is inturn secured to the support |35. In order to positively limit themovement of the actuating pins I 34 in each direction, each pin isprovided at its forward end with an enlarged head |45 which engageswithin a OOII'GSDOndingly enlarged portion |42 of the bores within whichthe pins are tted to slide. With this construction it will readily beseen that rearward movement of the pins |24 is limited by engagement ofthe heads |45 with the shouldered rear ends of the enlarged bores |42,forward movement being similarly limited by engagement of the heads |45with the adjacent face of the supporting bar |35. As best shown in Fig.16 of the drawings, this face portion of the bar |35 is cut away toprovide an exhaust outlet |44 to take care of any leakage of iluidmedium past the actuating pins |34. The outlet |44 extends along theentire length of the machine, and is connected to an exhaust conduit |45through which fluid collected in the outlet |44 is returned to the sump(not shown).

With the preferred construction illustrated, actuation of the pins |34is effected by a fluid medium, preferably oil, which is admitted underpressure to the cylinder |35. As best shown in Figs. 13, 14, 16, and 18to 22 inclusive, one such cylinder |35 is provided for each knittingsection extending along the length thereof. The several cylinders |35are provided at each end with outwardly extending flanges |45 which arebolted together to provide a continuous assembly of the cylinder unitsalong the entire length of the machine. There is provided for eachcylinder |35, a piston |55 supported on a piston rod |52 which extendsthe length of the cylinder |35, and abuts at each end against the pistonrods `|52 of the adjoining cylinders |35 associated with the adjacentknitting sections of the machine. The piston rods |52 are slidablysupported at each end of the cylinders |35 in bushings |54 secured tothe inner faces of the flanges |45. Each of the piston rods |52 isprovided at opposite ends with a small projecting spring-presser balldetent and a recess which ilt into correspondingly formed end portionsof the next adjacent piston rods |52, and are rigidly held together tomove as a unit by means of cross heads |55 and |5| secured-tn theprojecting ends of piston rods at opposite ends of the machine, andconnecting rods |52 and |54 which are spaced respectively above andbelow the cylinders |35, and rigidly connect together the cross heads|55 and |5I. 'I'he cross head |55 at the right hand end of the machine,is shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, and the cross head |5| at the lefthand end of the machine being shown in Fig. 10. With the constructionabove illustrated, it will readily be seen that any individual cylinder|35 with its associated piston |55 and piston rod |52, may be readilyremoved without disturbing the remaining portions of the assembly alongthe length of the machine, it being necessary only to move the pistonrods |52 to their extreme position to the right, as shown in Fig. 22, inwhich the abutting portions of the piston rods |52 are aligned with theflanges |45.

Each cylinder |55 is formed at each end thereof, with a flange-like base|55 (see Figs. 13 and 14) to which is rigidly secured a valve unitcomprising a valve housing |55, chambered for an exhaust valve' |15 anda pressure valve |12 through which fluid pressure may be exhausted oradmitted to opposite sides of the respective pistons |55. The exhaustvalve |15 comprises the -exhaust chamber |1| and a valve plunger |14which is journalier! to slide in a rearwardly extending bore in thecasing |55, and is springseated by means of a small compression spring|15 coiled about the plunger |14 between an abutting portion of thecasing |55 and a head |15 formed on the rear end thereof. The pressurevalve |12 similarly comprises the chamber |13 and a valve plunger |55which is springseated by means of a compression spring |52 interposedbetween an abutting portion of the casing |55 and a plunger head |54formed on the rear end thereof. Each of the chambers |1| of the severalexhaust valves is connected through a branch conduit |55 with an exhaustconduit |55 extending along the length of the machine, through whichexhausting fluid is returned to the machine sump. Similarly, each of thechambers |13 of the several pressure valves spaced along the length ofthe machine, is ccnnecd by a branch conduit |55 to a main pressure pipeline |52 which extends along the length of the machine, and is connectedto the fluid pressure source of supply. It will be understood that fluidpressure may be supplied to the machine through a fluid pressure systemwhich may be of ordinary description, comprising a reservoir located inthe machine base, fluid being drawn from the reservoir under pressure byan oil pump, and thereafter returned through the exhaust lines abovedescribed, to this reservoir or sump. Inasmuch as iluid pressure systemsof this general description are well known, it is believed unnecessaryto speciilcally illustrate' the same.

As hereinafter more fully set forth in connection with the descriptionof the operation of the machine, the pressure and exhaust valves |12 and|15 are arranged and operated in such a manner as to cause fluidpressure to be admitted to the trailing side of each of the pistons |55during their traverse in each direction, and to be exhausted from theleading side of these pistons, so that fluid under pressure is suppliedsuccessively tc the actuating pins |54 to effect successive projectionof the sinkers during the travel of the pistons in each direction. Forexample, during the travel of the pistons |55 to the right, the pressurevalve |12 at the left hand end of each knitting section will be open andthe exhaust valve |15 closed, while the corresponding pressure valve |12at the right end of each section is closed, and the exhaust valve |15 isopened. When the direction of traverse of the pistons |55 is reversed,the positions of alll the pressure and exhaust valves will also bereversed.

The mechanism through which the 4operation of the pressure valves |12and exhaust valves |15 is controlled, comprises for each valve unit, acam actuated rocker lever 255 which is supported to turn on a fixedpivot 252. and is provided with rocker arms 254 and 255 which arearranged for alternative engagement respectively with 'the heads |15 and|54 of the exhaust and pressure valves. A tension spring 266 secured atone end to rocker arm 264, and at its other end to a hook on the casing|66, tends normally to maintain the cam rocker lever 266 in exhaustposition. The operation of the cam rocker levers 266 vis controlledthrough connections which comprise a cam shaft 2|6 extending along thelength of the machine, having mounted thereon operating cams 2|2 and2|4, one such cam 2|2 being arranged to act upon roller 2|6 carried bycam rocker lever 266 associated with the valve unit |66 at the left handend of each knitting section, and one such cam 2|4 being provided to actupon roller 2|6 and cam rocker lever v266 associated with each righthand valve unit |66 for the several knitting sections. It will be notedparticularly from Figs. 13 and 14 of the drawings, that the cams 2|2 and2|4 are identical in shape, each having four equally spaced rise andintervening low portions, the cams 2|4 being set at a 45 angle from oneanother, so that the valve units at opposite ends of the severalsections will always be set in reverse positions.

'I'he cam shaft 2|6 is rocked to effect the desired setting of thevalves |16 and |12, and pistons |66 are traversed during each knittingcycle of the machine through a Coulier driving mechanism which is inaddition to the usual Coulier drive for the machine. As best shown inFig. 7, this mechanism comprises a Coulier arm 226 supported at itslower' end on a stationary pivot 222 and at its upper end connected bymeans of a shoe 224 to a piston traversing slide 226. A driving link 226connected at one end to the Coulier arm 226 and at its other end to asupporting lever (not shown) carries cam rollers 262 spaced to engageopposite sides of a Coulier cam 234 which is continuously driven fromthe main cam shaft 56 ofthe machine; These connections include arearwardly extending shaft 236 to which the Coulier cam 234 is secured,a bevel gear 236 on the shaft 236, and a driving bevel gear (not shown)on the cam shaft 56.

The piston traversing slide 226 is sleeved for traversing movement on afixed shaft 242, and also upon an additional supporting shaft 244extending lengthwise of the machine. The slide 226 is formed with aforwardly extendingarm 246 which is forked at its forward end, the forksbeing rigidily secured to the piston connecting rods |62 and |64 (seeFig. 1).

The cam shaft 2|6 is rotated through a 45 angle at each end of theCoulier stroke, through connections (see Figs. 1, 7 and 8) which includea ratchet 246 secured to the cam shaft 2|6, and

a pawl 256 supported on. an axially movable spring retracted plunger252. 'Ihe plunger 252. is mounted to slide in an arm 254 rigidly securedto a fixed shaft 266 extending lengthwise of the machine. The pawl 256is tensioned in a direction to maintain the engagement of the pawl withthe ratchet by a small tension spring 251 connected at one end 'to arearwardly extending tail of the pawl 256, and at its other end to thefixed lever arm or bracket 254. The rear end of the plunger 252 projectsrearwardly beyond its support 254, and is arranged to be engaged by acam 266 formed on the piston traversing slide 226. As shown in Fig. 8,the traversing slide 226 is at the extreme left hand end of itstraversing movement, so that the rise portion of the cam 266 is engagedagainst the rear end of the plunger 252 to advance the ratchet 246 andcam shaft 2|6. In order that the cam shaft 2|6 may be racked to reversethe valve settings at the right hand end of the Coulier movement, asecond racking mechanism for the cam shaft 2|6 is provided for actuationby the cam 266 at the right hand end of its traverse. As shown in therear elevation of Fig. A7, this mechanism is identical in constructionand mode of operation with the racking mechanism previously describedincluding a ratchet 264 and associated pawl, and'plunger 266 supportedin a rearwardly extending arm 266 supported on the stationary shaft 266.This racking mechanism is spaced from the racking mechanism illustratedin F18. 8, the length of the' traversing stroke of the piston traversingvslide 226.

The present machine is also provided with the usual Coulier motion whichin the illustrated construction is employed to traverse the frictiondriving rod for reciprocating the yarn carrier bars 86 in theusual'manner, and also to traverse the sinker guard and release cammechanism hereinafter to be described. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 7,the Coulier drive comprises a Coulier arm 216 supported at its lower endon a fixed pivot 212, and at its upper end connected to a driving shoe214 to drive the usual Coulier slide 216. A Coulier driving link 216connected at one end to the Coulier arm 216, and at its other end to asupporting lever arm 266, carries cam rollers 282 and 264 arranged toengage opposlte sides of a Coulier cam 266. The driving connections forthe Coulier cam 266 includes a rearwardly extending shaft 266 on whichthe cam 266 is carried, and intermeshing bevel gears 266 and .262mounted respectively on the shaft 266 and on the mainv cam shaft 56 ofthe machine.

lin order to control the advancing movement of the sinkers projected bythe fluid pressure actuated mechanism above described, applicantprovides a guard and release cam mechanism which operates to prevent thepremature advance of individual sinkers, and thereafter to control theprojection of the sinkers in such a manner as to produce a uniformsteeply angled knitting wave which will insure a rapid but controlledadvance of each successive sinker prior to the engagement of the nextsucceeding sinker to kink the feeding yarn during traverse in eachdirection. The sinker guard and release cam mechanism, as best shown inFigs. 1, 15, 16, and 27 to 29 inclusive, comprises a sinker traversingrail 264 extending throughout the length of the machine, which isslidably supported in blocks 266 spaced at intervals along the machinelength ,between adjoining sections. The blocks 266 are rigidly securedto and are supported on frame levers 266 (see Figs. 8, 15 and 16)pivotally supported at their rear ends on the xed shaft 256 betweencollars 366. The assembly including the cam rail 264 and frame levers266 is moved vertically through connections which comprise links 362supported at their upper ends to certain of the frame levers 268, and attheir lower ends to cooperating cam levers 364 pivoted on a shaft 366,and provided with rollers 366 for engagement with lift motion cams 6|6on the cam shaft 56 of the machine. One such cam is shown in detail inFig. 5 of the drawings. Lengthwise sliding movement is imparted to thesinker guard cam rail 264 from the Coulier slide 216, which has formedthereon a forwardly extending arm SI2 rigidly connected to the guard camrail 264 (seeFig. 8).

As best shown in Figs. 16, 18 to 22 inclusive, and 27 to 29 inclusive,there is secured'to'the under side of the sinker guard cam rail 264, aseing provided for each knitting section, and extending slightly beyondthe length of the needle series in each direction for engagement withlthe guard cam butts |22 of the sinker sliders ||2. 'I'here is alsoprovided at the right hand end of each guard cam, a downwardly extendingarcuate-shaped release cam I which is slidably supported in an arcuateguideway Ill in the under side of the guard cam rail 284 for movementinto and out of operatingiposition with relation to `the slide or butts|22. There is similarly provided at the left hand end o! each guard cam3|4, an arcuate-shaped depending release cam 320 which is slidablysupported in an arcuate guideway 322 formed on the under side of therail 234 formovement into and out of operating position with relation tothe slide or butts |22. A springpressed detent 324 supported on the rail294, is arranged for engagement with either of two notches 320 or 32|formed in a slide support 32! for the release cam lil to support therelease cam SII in either of its alternative extended or retractedpositions. A spring-pressed detent 330 is arranged for alternativeengagement with notches 122 or 334 in the slide support 238 for therelease cam 320 to support said .cam in its alternative retracted andextended positions.

During each knitting cycle of the machine, the rail 204 is traversed bythe usual Coulier motion above described, through a distance which issomewhat in excess of the needle series first in one direction and thenin the other, so that each guard cam 3|4 will move from its initialposition in front of one knitting section to a substantially identicalposition opposite the next knitting section. During the traversingmovement of the rail 294 to the left, the right hand or trailing releasecam Sli will occupy the advance position illustrated in Figs. 18 and 29,the left hand release cam 320 associated with each guard cam 3|4 beingin its' retracted position. During this traversing movement the sinkerssuccessively projected by the fluid pressure mechanism above described,will be rst restrained by the engagement of the slider butts |22 withthe guard cam M4, and will then be successively released as these buttscome in contact with the sloping surface of the release cam lli. Theadvancing end of each guard cam 3|4 which now moves into positionopposite the next adjacent knitting section to the left, will passbehind the slider butts |22. During the subsequent rotation of the maincam shaft to complete the knitting cycle, the sinker guard cam rail 284is raised by the operation of the lift motion cams ill to permit theretraction of the sinkers and the sliders ||2. when the sinker rail 2l4is again lowered into the operating position shown, for example, inFigs. 16 and 18, preparatory for the next traversing movement to theright. At the beginning of this traversing movement to the right, therelative positions of the release cams #Il and 320 associated with eachsection, is reversed. the release cam llt now being retracted, and therelease cam 32|! which now becomes the operative cam, being advanced.

In order to eilect this relative positioning movement of the releasecams 2|. and 320, there is secured to each block 280, a spring-seatedactuating element in the form of a leaf spring 340 bolted to thesupporting frame' lever 2", and provided at opposite ends thereof withtrip members 242 and 344 which are arranged for cooperative engagementwith actuating pins 348 trailing or of the drawings.

length of the machine.

and $48 formed on the upper surface of the slide sup'port 329, and pinslll and 252 formed in the upper surface of the slide support Ill for therelease cam 324. As best shown in the bottom plan view Fig. 29, the tripmembers 242 and 244 are so located as to be in the path of movement ofthe rearwardly disposed one of the two pinsv associated with each of therelease cams Ill and 220. The inner faces of each of the trip members342 and 244- are vertically disposed for operative engagement 4with thepins, the outer surfaces being cammed outwardly to permit the pins whenengaged against these cammed outer surfaces. to ride beneath the tripmember without shifting the .position of the associated relief cam.Assuming the position of the parts shown. for example. in Figs. 18 and27. the movement of the sinker guard cam rail 2l4 to the right, will nowcause the latch member 242 to engage with the rearwardly disposed pin350 to shift the left hand or trailing relief cam 22D to its operativeposition, the position of the parts being then as shown in Fig. 19.Continued traversing movement of the rail 294 to the right.jsubsequentlycauses the trip member 242 to engage with the rearwardly disposed pin344 to shift the right hand or leading relief cam SIC associated witheach guard cam 3|4 to its retracted position, this retracting movementbeing arranged to take place before the leading relief cam SIB reachesthe first operating sinker of the knitting section. The positions of therelief cams 320 and 2|! will then be as shown in Fig. 20. During thesubsequent traversing stroke to the left, the positions of the reliefvcams 2li and 320 will be reversed through the operation of the tripmember 244.

In the illustrated construction, a novel arrangement of the usual catchbar motion is employed for controlling the operation of the sinkerssubsequent to the yarn measuring operation to impart the usual forwardand back selvage forming and subsequent retracting movements to thesinkers. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 16 of the drawings, a catch bar360 is provided located rearwardly 'of the sinker bed 84 and beneath thesinker 1ine. The catch bar 380 is provided with a slot 362 to receivethe sinker operating butts |02, the front lip of the slot 262 beingshorter 4than the rear lip to permit relative movement of the catch bar340, so that the sinker butts |02 may be moved relatively over the frontlip into engagement with the rear lip to accurately engage the buttswithin the slot. The catch bar 260 is supported at intervals along itslength on rearwardly extending supporting lever arms 364. 'Ihe catch barlevers 364 are supported for forward and back movements on upwardlyextending lever arms 388 secured to a rock shaft 368 extending along themachine length. Rocking motion is imparted to the shaft 388 by means ofone or more cam levers 310 secured to the rock shaft 368, and providedat their lower ends with rollers 312 for engagement with forward andback catch bar motion cams 214 on the cam shaft 50, one such cam beingspecifically illustrated in Fig. 6

parted to the catch bar 3l?) through connections which comprise links31B connected at their upper end to the respective catch bar levers 364,and at their lower ends to rearwardly extending arms of cooperating camlevers 31. supported on the supporting shaft 308' extending along theEach of the cam levers 318 is provided with a roller I for engagementwith cooperating catch bar vertical motion cams Vertical movements areim- Y .g2 on the cam shaft l0, one such catch bar vertical motion cambeing specifically illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. In order thatthe catch bar 360 may be maintained in operating positionengagementagainstthe rear side of the corresponding arm 422. vThe set screw 4231sscrewthreaded into a rearwardly extending tail of each arm 422 forengagement against the'bracket 424. Withthis construction it willreadily be seen that the'adjustment of the verge plate is determined forany particular angular position of the cam y disk 404 by the engagementof a selected cam follower arm 422 with a high portion of itscooperating face cam 423.

Mechanism isprovided which is controlled from the main pattern chain ofthe machine for. im-

, parting step-by-step rotational positioning movewhich is arrangednormally'to engage with the abutments |00 cf all the sinkers to limitthe advancing movement of the same. 'I'he verge plate 390 extendsthroughout the length of the machine, being supported at #intervalsalong its length upon'rollers such as that designated at 392 in Fig. 16,and upon supporting pins 394A which are fitted into slots 396 in theverge plate, and are screw-threaded into the sinker bed 94 to permit ashifting of the verge plate lengthwise of the machine. The lengthwisemovement of the verge plate 390 operates to produce a forward or backadjustment of its operating position to adjustably Adetermine theforward limit of the advancing' movement of the sinkers and the lengthof loop measured thereby. To this end the verge plate is providedbetween the ends of adjacent sections on the forward side thereof, witha wedge camshaped bearing surface 400 Vwhich is arranged to engageagainst a correspondingly cammed stationary support 402 xed to thesinker bedv 94. Compression springs 404 coiled about each of thesupporting pins 304 between the enlarged head thereof and the rear faceof the verge plate 390, serve to maintain the verge plate in operatingposition with the surfaces 400 in engagement with their correspondinglycammed supports 402.

Further in accordance with the present invention, applicant providespattern mechanism for automatically controlling the {position of theverge plate 390 to eect desired adjustments of loop length duringcontinued operation of the machine. As best shown in Figs. 9 to 12inclusive, this pattern mechanism comprises a multiple face cam disk 406sleeved to turn on a fixed shaft 4 08, a collar 4|0 secured to the shaftbeing provided to prevent endwise movement of the cam 406.Cooperatingwith the cam disk 403 is a downwardly extending lever 4l2which is supported to turn on a pivot pin 4I4, and is provided with anupward extension 4I6 which engages against the left hand end of theverge plate 390, as shown in Fig. 9. A tension spring 4I0 connected atone end to the verge plate 390 and at its other end to a fixed point onthe machine, acts to maintain the verge plate 290 atall times in.engagement with the lever 4I0. The cam actuated lever 4|2 is forked atits lower end to provide support for a transversely extending pivotshaft 420 on which are supported four manually adjustable cam followerlevers 422 which are arments to the cam disk 400, in order to bring anyselected lever-arm 422 in engagement with the high portionv of itscooperating cam 423. This mechanism comprisesa ratchet 430 fixed to thesleeve hub of the cam disk 403, and a cooperat- `ing pawl 432 which ispivotallysupported on an upwardly extending pawlactuating lever 434. Asmall tension spring`436 connected between the tail of the pawl 432 andthe lever 434 acts to maintain the pawl in engagement with thef ratchet.As best shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, the pawl actuating lever 434'is mounted to turn on a fixed pivot; 433, and carries on a forwardlyextending arm thereof, a laterally shiftable roller 440 which is adaptedfor engagement with an actuating cam 442 on the cam shaft 50.

' The roller 440 is shifted into and out of operative engagement withits operating cam 442 to start and stop the indexing movement of theface cam 406v through connections controlled from the main pattern chainof the machine, diagrammatically shown at 444. These connections includea shifting fork 446 supported on a slide rod 448 and connected to thesleeve hub of the cam roller 440. The slide rod 44B is connected bymeans of a link 450 to a pattern chain lever 452 which is adapted to beengaged by a bump such-as that indicated at 454 on the pattern chain 444to shift the roller 440 into operating ings, the usual stitch adjustmentfor controlling loop length has been eliminated The usual loop regulatorshaft extending along the length of the machine, has been retained,andin the present construction forms part of a-mechanism forautomatically positioning the needles in a ilxed positionfor-cooperation withthe sinkers during the yarn measuring operation.With the construction illustrated, the needle positioning mechanismreferred to, is constructed and arranged for positioning .theneedlesalternatively in either of two such positions, one being employedduring the knitting of courses in which the same length of needle loopis to be measured across the entire course, the other position beingemployed during the knitting of reinforced fabric toA cooperate withapplicants supplementary verge plate mechanism hereinafter more fully tobe described, for positioning the needles during the knitting ofreinforced fabric in which different lengths of loop are to be measuredon .selected portions of each needle series. As best shown in Figs. 9.l0, 30 and 3l. the machine is provided with a rock shaft I whichcomprises the usual regulator shaft extending along the length of thesemachines. Rigidly secured to the rock shaft lll are a number of upwardlyextending detent levers "I, one auch lever being provided to cooperatewith each in-and-out cam motion lever 'Il which has rigidly secured-tothe hub thereof, a forwardly extending lever arm I which carries twoadjustable stop screws I and I adapted for engagement respectively withcooperating stop surfaces formed on the two prongs lll and Il! of theforked upper end of the detent lever lll. A's shown in Pig. l0 of thedrawings, the prong |12 is spaced rearwardly of the prong 41|. Duringnormal operation of the machine, to knit fabric loops having the samelength across the entire course, detent lever l2 is positioned prior tothe movement of the needles to their Coulier position, so that the stopscrew I will be brought into operative engagement with the stop surfaceprovided by the prong Ill. During subsequent movement of the needlesoutwardly and down to the knockover position, the shaft lll is rocked tomove the stop lever l rearwardly to permit unobstructed operation of theneedle in-and-out motion cam lever ll, this position being shown in Fig.30 ofthe drawings. For rocking the lever "I, a rearwardly extending camlever "I is secured to the shaft "l, and carries at its rear end aroller 416. arranged to be acted upon by a cam Ill on the main cam shaftl of the machine. The forward position of the rock shaft l and stoplever 2 is controlled by means of a latch Il! supported on a xed pivot Ion the machine frame, which engages with anv needle series. thismechanism being intended for use in the knitting of fabric courses inwhich long loops are required in certain portions only of each courseas, for example. in the knitting of reinforced hosiery, when it isdesirable to employ longer loops in the knitting of the reinforcedportions. This mechanism comprises two subsidiary verge plate carrierrails 2 and I extending along the length of the machine and slidablysupported, as best shown in Fig. 16. in grooves l and l formed in thecover sinker rail The auxiliary verge plate carrier rail 2 is providedon its under side with an auxiliary verge plate lll which projectsdownwardly into the path of movement of the sinker butts IM of thesinkers Il comprising the right hand half of the sinker series. As bestshown from the construction lines on Figs. 25 and 26, the auxiliaryverge plate lll does not engage with the abutments III of sinkers I!which are placed rearwardly a sumcient distance to prevent suchengagement. Similarly, the sinker verge plate rail "4 is provided ateach section with a downwardly projecting auxiliary verge plate lllwhichprojects into the path of movement of the butts lll of sinkers I2forming the left half of each sinker series. From Figs. 25 and 26,1twill readily be seen that the auxiliary verge plate II! does -needleseries.

envases not contact with the abutments l of the right hand sinkers il,these abutments being placed rearwardly with relation to the butts lllto prevent such engagement. The ,auxiliary sinker verge plate rails 4I!and I are spring-seated downwardly by compression springs l to positionthe auxiliary verte plates lll and 2 against the slotted portions of thesinkers. For convenience of illustration, the auxiliary verge plates llland Il! have been designated in solid -black lines to show the positionof these plates withl relation to the sinker series.

With this construction and arrangement of the auxiliary verge plates andthe cooperating sinker butts. it will readily be seen that the number ofsinkers which will be controlled by this auxiliary mechanism, may bereadily determined by adjusting the relative positions of auxiliaryverge plate rails Il! and 484 as, for example, when the rail "2 is movedto the left, the number of sinkers in the right half of the sinkerseries which will havetheir butts IM engaged against the verge plate500, will be diminished. As previously pointed out, the sinkers in theleft half of the sinker series are not controlled by the verge plate theabutment lill being. as previously stated, set back.. Similarly.movement of the auxiliary verge plate rail 4 to the right from theposition shown in Figs. 23 and 24, will reduce the number -of sinkers O2forming the left half of the sinker series which will be controlled bythe verge plate 502 through the engagement of the verge plate with thesinker butts H0. As previously pointed out, the verge plate 502 does notaffect the operation of sinkers 9! of which abutments I" are set back.

During normal operation of the machine, for the knitting of plainfabric, the advance of all the sinkers is controlled, as previouslydescribed, by the adjustable verge plate 39| which is so positioned asto arrest the sinker advance through the engagement of the verge platewith sinker abutments I before the butts lll and III can contact withthe respective auxiliary verge plates 500 and SI2. In order to renderthe auxiliary verge plate mechanism above described, operative toproduce a selected control of loop length in the knitting of eachcourse, it is proposed to move the verge plate I to an abnormallyadvanced position and at the same time to move the needles toV anabnormally advanced Coulier position toward the front of the machine, sothat the auxiliary verge plates 500 and 502 may be rendered operative tocontrol the projection of the sinkers forming the middle portion of eachThe positions of the needles and of the verge plate in this position areso gauged as to 'cause relatively longer loops suitable for the knittingof reinforced fabric, to be formed by the sinkers which are permitted toadvance until stopped by the engagement of their abutments l with theverge plate lil. In this abnormal forward position of the parts, theauxiliary verge plates "Il and l0! will operate to permit a relativelyshorter advance of the sinkers controlled thereby, to form relativelysmall or ncrmal size loops.

The movement of the verge plate lll to the abnormal advanced position iseffected through the operation of the pattern mechanism above described,when the cam disk "l is racked to a position in which the follower arm422 associated with the outside face cam 423 is brought into engagementwith the high bump III as shown in Fig. l2, which operates through theconnections above described, to shift the verge plate 380 vto an extremeposition to the right.-

This movement of the verge plate also operates to shiftthe knittingneedles to an abnormally vcam 430. For this position of the latch levers462, the extent of the forward rocking movement of the needles iscontrolled by the engagement of the stop pin 488 with the stop surfaceformed on the prong 412 of the lever 462. 'Ihe connections through whichthe latch 4 82 is moved out of operating position, comprise an actuatinglever ll2 (see Figs-9) supported on a rock shaft 5l4,

' and arranged at its upper end to be engaged by an abutment 6l6 on theverge plate 380 when the verge plate is moved to its extreme position tothe right. The rocking movement thus imparted to the actuating lever 5l2acts through a downwardly extending lever arm 5l3. a connecting link5I8, a bell-crank 520 and a downwardly vextending link 522 connected atits lower end to a rearward extension 524 of the latch lever 482 todisengage the latch. A small tension spring 526 connected at one end tothe rearward extension 524, and at its other end to a fixed arm 528.tends normally to maintain the latch 482 in its engaging position shown,for example. in Fig. 10.

With the construction above `described, it will readily be seen that theauxiliary verge plate mechanism may be thrown into and out of operationfor the knitting of reinforced fabric, by means of the operation of asingle control on the main pattern chain which operates through theconnections above described, to indexA the face cam 406 to the properposition. The auxiliary verge plate mechanism will then remain in activeoperation until further indexing movement is imparted to the face cam406 to move the high bump 5l0 out of engagement with its cooperatingfollower arm 422 to permit the return of the verge plate 390 to a normaloperating position to the left. This movement of the verge plate to theleft, simultaneously acts through the connections above described, topermit the return' of the latch 482 under the influence of its spring526 to normal operating position as shown in Fig. l0.

Further in accordance with the present invention, mechanism is providedfor automatically adjusting the relative positions of the auxiliaryverge plate rails 482 and 494. to cause the adjustment of the vergeplates 500 and 502 to correspond at all times with the width of plainand reinforced fabric areas being .knitted on the needle series. If itbe assumed, for example, that a French high splice is being knitted, asthe high splice area formed bythe reinforcing knitting yarns is widenedinwardly, a corresponding adjustment in the position of the auxiliaryverge plates 500 and 502 must be effected to cause the added needlesknitting the inside selvage `of the reinforcing areas, to knit longerloops. In the illustrated construction, the relative positions of theauxiliary verge plate rails 492 and 484 are controlled by the spindlenuts normally employed for positioning the inner stops for the splicingcarriers normally employed in these machines.

A pair of such splicing carrier spindle nuts is specifically illustratedin Fig. 9 of the drawings, 75

the left hand nut being designated at 5.30, and' the right hand nutbeing designated at 532 supported on oppositely threaded portions of 'aspindle 534. In accordance with the usual prac` tice, the nut 530 hassupported thereon one or more stop pins such as that indicated at 536,the nut 532 being similarly arranged to support carrier stop pins suchas that indicated at 538. The stop pin 536 is supported in alignmentwith a carrier 'stop 540 carried on one of the carrier rods 36, the pin538 being similarly arranged in the path of movement of a carrier stop542 on a second carrier rod 86, for traversing splicing carriers. Thenut 530 is provided also with an extension 544 which is rigidlyconnected to the auxiliary verge plate rail 482, the nut 532 beingsimilarly provided with a forward extension 546 which is rigidlyconnected to the auxiliary verge plate rail 484. With this construction,it will readily be seen that the positions of the auxiliary verge plates500 and 502 will be adjusted simultaneously with the shifting of thecarrier stop pins 536 and 538.

The spindle 534 is racked by mechanism which may be of ordinarydescription, comprising a pair of ratchets 548 and 550 (see Figs. 9 andl0) which are arranged to be acted upon by pawls 552 and 554 supportedon the upper end of a pawl actuating lever 556 pivotally supported at558 on the machine frame. At its lower end the lever 556 is connected bya link 560 to a cam lever 562 supported on the pivot shaft 438 andfitted with a shiftable roller 564 for engagement with a cam on the camshaft 50.

The spindle racking mechanism above described, is thrown into and out ofoperation by connections from the pattern chain 444 of the machine,through connections which include a shifting fork 566 supported on alengthwise extending control rod 568 in accordance with the usualpractice in these machines. As best shown in Fig. 10, pawls 552 and 554are spaced apart by means of a stop screw 510 to cause only one of thesepawls to be in engagement with its ratchet at one time. A tension spring512 connected between two pawls, acts to maintain the relative positionof the pawls. The direction of the racking is controlled throughconnections well known in the art including a link 514 connected at oneend to the pawl 552, and at its other end to bellcrank 516, the otherarni of which is connected by a link 518 and a bell-crank 580 to apattern control rod 582 controlled from the main pattern chain 444 ofthe machine.

In order that the operation of applicants machine may be readilyunderstood, detail views have been made of the several operating camsthrough which motions are imparted which are new or distinctivelydiilerent from those employed on Cotton type full-fashioned machines. Itwill be understood that the needle motion of the machine has beenaltered only so far as necessary to compensate for the removal of theusual dividing sinkers, together with the dividing operation ordinarilyperformed by these elements. The usual Coulier motion of the machine, asabove noted, is employed to impart reciprocatory movements to the yarncarriers and to the sinker guard and release cams of the presentmachine. The additional Coulier motion employed for reciprocating thehydraulic pistons |50, is cammed in such a manner as to provide anaccelerating and decelerating motion of the assembly including pistons|50 at each end of the traverse, in order to reduce so far aspossiblethe power required for moving this relatively heavy mechanism. In orderto provide for such acceleration and deceleration, a Coulier stroke isemployed for reciprocating the pistons |50 which is considerably inexcess of that employed for reciprocating the yarn carriers. Inasmuch asthe actual release of the sinkers is controlled by release cams lli and320 which travel at a uniform rate during the traverse, the rate oftravel of the pistons |50 is unimportant, except that a sutilcient leadmust be maintained to insure the pro- Jection of the sinkers against thetrailing release cam. This lead during the major portion of the traversemay be designated by the distance X. as shown in Figs. 19 and 20, butdue to the decelerating motion at the end of the traverse, is laterreduced to distance Y, as shown in Fig. 21.

In order that the operation of applicant's machine may be more readilyunderstood, the several operating cams have been marked to show thesuccessive positions of the actuating cam rollers with relation to thesecams for a number of positions of the machine during the knitting of acourse, these positions being lettered from A t H' inclusive. Theoperation of the machine will be described with relation to thesesuccessive positions of the machine. The machine parts have beenspecifically illustrated in a starting position of the machine at thebeginning of the traversing stroke of the yarn carriers from left toright. The needles as particularly shown in Figs. 1 and l0, are locatedin the normal yarn sinking position, the vertical position beingcontrolled by the vertical motion needle cam 10, the in-and-out positionof the needles with relation to the press edge being at this timecontrolled by the engagement of the stop pin 460 with the detent lever402 as shown in Fig. 10. The catch bar 360 of the machine is in its lowretracted position, as best shown in Fig. 16, and is determined by the Aposition of its vertical motion cam 302 (Fig. 4) and in-and-out motioncam 314 (Fig. 6). The verge plates 390 will at this time be in an ad-Justed position which is determined by the angular position of thepattern controlled face cam disk 406 (see Figs. 10 to l2 inclusive). Itwill be understood that this position of the verge plate remainsunchanged during the subsequent rotation of the machine cam shaft 50 toform the knitted course. lease cam rail 294 is at this time in its lowposition as determined by the A position of its vertical motion cam 3|0(Fig. 5). The guard cams 2| 4 are located in operating position in frontof the slider butts |22l and occupy the position shown particularly inFig. 18. The active yarn carriers are in their positions at the extremeleft o! each knitting section. For this position of the parts, the righthand release cam 3|6 associated with each section, is still exposed, theleft hand release cam 320 being still in its retracted position. Forthis position of the parts, the pistons |50 are located in theirpositions to the extreme left, the valve positions at this time havingbeen reversed by the engagement of cam 260 on the hydraulic pistontraversing slide 220 with the pawl plunger 250 (see Figs. 7 and 8), sothat fluid pressure is being admitted to the left hand end, and is beingexhausted from the right hand end of each hydraulic cylinder |38. Theposition of the sinkers, guard and release cams, and pistons for each ofsuccessive positions A, B, C, D and E, are specically shown incorresponding Figs. 18 to 22 inclusive.

As the cam shaft 50 and associated parts of 'I'he sinker guard and re-vthe machine are now rotated from the A to the B position, the positionsof the needles 52, catch bar 350 and verge plate 39|!4 remain unchanged.The sinker guard and releasecam rail 294 remains in its low position,but has started its traversing stroke to the right. The positions of thetraversing mechanisms for position B is particularly illustrated in Fig.19, in which the pistons |50 have established a lead indicated at X overthe active yarn carrier 84 and guard cams 3|4. The trailing or left handrelease cam 320 has now been moved ot its operating position by theengagement of actuating member 342 with pin 350 to control theprojecting movement of the sinkers. l

Continued rotation of the machine to a B' position, causes the catch bar360 to be lowered to a position in which the rear lip of the catch baris located below the level of the sinker butts |02. Prior to themovement of the leading ends of the guard cams 3|4 into the nextadjacent sections to the right, the actuating member 250 will haveengaged with the pin 346 associated with the leading release cam 3|G toretract this cam to inoperative position.

During continued rotation of the machine to the C position, thetraversing stroke of the Coulier motions continues as shown in Fig, 20.At this time the catch bar 360 starts to move forwardly below the sinkerbutts |02.

During continued rotation of the machine to the D position shownparticularly in Fig. 21, the traversing stroke of the Coulier motionsstill continues, the movement of the pistons however, having been sloweddown, reducing the lead of the pistons |50 with relation to the yarncarriers and sinker guard and release cams to distance Y.

During rotation of the machine to the E position shown particularly inFig. 22, the yarn carriers 04, the pistons |50 and the sinker guard andrelease cam rail 294 with its associated cams will have reached theright hand limit of their traversing stroke. At this point the needlesstart their downward movement to the press. Also prior to this time, theneedle in-and-out motion cam will have taken over the control of thein-and-out motion of the needles. The catch bar now moves upwardly toengage the sinker butts |02 in the slot 362. Also the sinker guard vandrelease cam rail 294 is moved upwardly to permit rearward movement ofthe slider butts |22 beneath the guard and release cams.

During rotation of the machine to the F position, the needles move topress. The detent lever 402 is moved rearwardly to its inoperativeposition shown in Fig. 30, by the engagement of the roller 416 with thehigh portion of the operating cam 480 as shown in Fig. 30. The catch bar360 now controlling the positions of the sinkers and 92, movesrearwardly with the needles during the pressing operation, to preventundue stretching of the loops or excessive strain on the needle Shanks.

During rotation of the machine to the G position, the needles now moveforwardly and down to draw the kinked yarn off the noses of the sinkersin the usual manner. The catch bar moves rearwardly, withdrawing thesinkers. The traversing parts of the machine remain stationary.

During continued rotation of the machine to the H position, the needlesmove rearwardly toward the press to knock over the sunk loops againstthe knockover bits in the usual manner.

:masas Th'e detent lever is again moved voutwardly as the roller 18rides oi! the high portion of the cam I, this outward position of thedetent lever 2 being determined by the engagement of latch 2 with stoplug lll' as shown in Fig.

l of the drawings. At this time the catch bar moves the sinkersforwardly and then back in the usual manner, for the correct formationof the selvage.

During rotation of the machine to the H' position, the needles continueto move in the usual manner upwardly toward the Coulier position. Thecatch .bar Il and the sinkers are .now withdrawn to their fullyretracted position preparatory for the next yarn measuring operation,and the catch bar 360 is again lowered to the position shown in Fig. 16.

In the subsequent operation of the machine to knit the next course, theoperations above described are repeated with the traversing mechanismcontrolled by the Coulier cams moving from right to left. l

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificembodiment shown, and that various deviations may bemade therefromwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a knitting machine having knitting instrumentalities includingneedles', implements cooperating. therewith to form knitted loops, andmeans for feeding yarnto said instrumentalities, the combination offluid pressure actuated4 means for serially actuating certain of saidinstrumentalities to kink the feeding yarn, and means for controllingthe rate of serial actuation. and the rate of movement of eachindividually actuated instrumentality to produce a knitting wave ofpredetermined form.

2. In a knitting machine having knitting instrumentalities including aneedle series, a series of implements cooperating therewith to formknitted loops, and means for feeding yarn to said instrumentalities, thecombination of fluid pressure actuated meansfor serially actuatingcertain of said instrumentalities to kink the feeding yarn includingconnections through which fluid pressure is.` applied to each of saidcertain instrumentalities, a iiuid pressure control element movable toadmit uid pressure serially to said connections, and operating meanshaving a mechanical connection with said fluid pressure control elementfor traversing the same.

3. In a knitting machine having knitting instrumentalities including aneedle series, a series of implements cooperating therewith to formknitted loops', and means for feeding yarn to said instrumentalities,the combination of fluid pressure actuated means for serially actuatingcertain of said instrumentalities to kink the feeding yarn including ailuid pressure cylinder extending lengthwise of the needle series,connections from said cylinder through which uid pressure is applied toactuate each of said certain instrumentalities, a piston in the cylindermovable to admit fluid pressure serially to said connections, andmechanical connections including a piston rod attached to the piston fortraversing the piston.

4. In a knitting machine having knitting devices including a needleseries, a series of individually movable yarn measuring sinkerscooperating therewith, and means for feeding yarn to the sinkers, thecombination of fluid pressure actuated `means for serially projectingthe sinkers to kink the feeding yarn including a duid pressure cylinderextending lengthwise of the needle series, means for admitting fluidpressure to said cylinder. connections from said cylinder at spacedintervals along its length through which fluid pressure is applied toproject each of said sinkers, a piston movable in said cylinder to admitfluid pressure serially to said connections. a drive for said yarnfeeding means, and driving means for said piston arranged to produce alead in the movement of the piston with relation to said yarn feedingmeans during movement in each direction.

5. In a knitting machine having knitting devices including a needleseries, a series of yarn measuring sinkers coperating therewith, andmeans for feeding yarn to the sinkers, the combination of uid pressureactuated means for serially projecting the sinkers including a fluidpressure cylinder extending lengthwise of the needle series, means foradmitting fluid pressure to said cylinder, connections from saidcylinder at spaced intervals and staggered with relation to one anotheralong its length through which fluid pressure is applied to project eachof said sinkers, and a piston movable in said cylinder to admit uidpressure serially to said connections, and actuating connections'including a piston rod connected to said piston for reciprocating thesame.

6. In a flat knitting machine having knitting devices including alseries of needles movable as a unit, a series of yarn measuring sinkerscooperating therewith, and means for feeding yarn to the sinkers, thecombination of fluid pressure actuated means for serially projecting thesinkers including a fluid pressure cylinder extending lengthwise of theneedle series, means for admitting uid pressure to said cylinder,connections from said cylinder at spaced intervals along its lengththrough which uid pressure is applied to project each of said sinkers, apiston movable in said cylinder to admit fluid pressure serially to saidconnections, a Coulier drive for said yarn-feeding means, and a secondCoulier drive and mechanical connections .between said second Coulierdrive and the piston for reciprocating said piston.

'7. In a knitting machine having knitting devices including a needleseries, a series of yarn measuring sinkers cooperating therewith, andmeans for feeding yarn to the sinkers, the combination of fluid pressureactuated means for serially projecting the sinkers including a fluidpressure cylinder extending lengthwise of the needle series, a series ofsinker actuating pins located at spaced intervals along the length ofsaid cylinder and arranged to be acted upon by fluid pressure, a pistonand mechanical connections including a piston rod attached to the pistonfor traversing the piston in said cylinder, fluid pressure admission andexhaust means located at opposite ends of the cylinder, and means forcontrolling said pressure and exhaust means to exhaust fluid pressurefrom the leading side of said piston and to admit fluid pressure to thetrailing side of said piston whereby uid pressure is applied to seriallyactuate said pins.

8. In a knitting machine having knitting de, vices including a needleseries, a series of yarn' measuring sinkers cooperating therewith, and

means for feeding yarn to the sinkers, the com-

